ACH transfers typically settle in one to two business days, with same-day ACH available for an extra fee, and cost roughly $0.20 to $1.50 per transaction at typical business volumes. A USDC payment confirms on-chain in seconds to minutes depending on the network, and network fees are usually well under a dollar. The tradeoff isn't really speed or cost — both are cheap and reasonably fast — it's reversibility: ACH payments can be reversed for up to 60 days under Nacha rules, while a confirmed USDC transaction is final.
Settlement time and cost, side by side
Neither rail is expensive at typical invoice amounts, but the settlement-speed gap is real, and it compounds for any business waiting on cash to hit before starting the next milestone.
| ACH | USDC | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical settlement | 1-2 business days (same-day available for a fee) | Seconds to a few minutes, depending on the network |
| Typical fee | $0.20-$1.50 per transaction (reported) | Under $1, often single-digit cents on lower-fee chains |
| Reversibility | Reversible for up to 60 days under Nacha rules | Final once the network confirms |
| Where it works | US bank accounts only | Any wallet on a supported chain, globally |
Why reversibility matters more than it sounds
ACH's 60-day reversal window is a real protection for payers dealing with billing errors or fraud, but it also means a business can't fully treat an ACH payment as final until that window passes. A confirmed USDC payment doesn't carry that uncertainty — once the network confirms it, it's settled, which is also why Hanko marks a stablecoin invoice paid only after on-chain confirmation rather than immediately.
Offering both isn't a tradeoff
Most businesses don't have to choose. Hanko invoices can offer ACH and USDC as two options on the same invoice, so a US-based client can pay the way their bank already supports, while an international client or one who prefers stablecoins has that option too — without either side being pushed toward a rail they don't want.
Frequently asked questions
Is USDC actually faster than ACH?
Yes, in terms of raw settlement time — USDC typically confirms on-chain in seconds to a few minutes, while ACH takes one to two business days (or same-day for an added fee). Both are considered fast and inexpensive compared to a wire transfer.
Can an ACH payment be reversed after it settles?
Yes. Under Nacha rules, ACH payments can generally be reversed for up to 60 days, which is a meaningful difference from a confirmed USDC payment, which is final.
Is USDC cheaper than ACH?
Both are inexpensive at typical invoice amounts. Reported ACH fees run roughly $0.20-$1.50 per transaction; USDC network fees are usually under $1 and can be a few cents on lower-fee chains. Confirm current network fees, as they fluctuate with chain congestion.
Can I offer both ACH and USDC on the same invoice?
Yes. Hanko invoices can include ACH and a stablecoin option like USDC together, so the client chooses which to use.